A Bid to Revise the New York Times’s Bad History. The ‘1776 Project’ will counter the claim that America was founded to preserve ‘slavocracy.’

Wall Street Journal ^ | February 18, 2020 | Jason L. Riley

[karpov]

“I think the important point to make about slavery is that it had existed for thousands of years without substantial criticism,” said the historian Gordon Wood in an interview last year. “But it’s the American Revolution that makes it a problem for the world. And the first real anti-slave movement takes place in North America. So this is what’s missed by these essays in the 1619 Project.”

Mr. Wood is one of the country’s leading experts on the colonial era, and he was referring to a collection of New York Times articles published last summer that examine the role of slavery in American history. The project posits that the country’s real founding occurred not in 1776 but in 1619, when the first African slaves arrived in Virginia. The claim is that the Revolutionary War was fought primarily to preserve America’s “slavocracy,” and that the country has risen politically, economically and culturally only through the subjugation of blacks.

Since publication, both the Times and its staff writer Nikole Hannah-Jones, the project’s creator, have come under sharp criticism from prominent academics. Now entering the fray is Robert Woodson, a black conservative and longtime community activist in Washington. Last week Mr. Woodson held a press conference to announce his own “1776 Project,” which is intended to counter what he called the “anti-America propaganda” of the Times’s endeavor. What’s troubling about “1619” is that “it defines America as being incurably racist,” he said. It insists that “all white people are beneficiaries of privilege and . . . victimizers. And all blacks are victims.”

Ms. Hannah-Jones has dismissed her detractors as “old white male historians,” but Mr. Woodson doesn’t fit that bill. Nor do a good number of the scholars he recruited—Glenn Loury, Carol Swain, John McWhorter, Jason Hill and Wilfred Reilly —to write essays

[karpov]

Project web site: 1776unites.com.

[Army Air Corps]

Ping.

[Titus-Maximus]

Jason has a good piece...it is frightening they are putting this Times crap in public schools. It is lies mixed with the truth.

[ctdonath2]

A primary principle when commencing the Revolution was that no slaves would be imported nor sold (at least until secession completed and the issue could be addressed). Pretty much blows the “1619” narrative away.

Insofar as, post-Revolution, slave trade resumed ... the economic momentum for doing so was not easily changed under the weak Articles Of Confederation, and had the “3/5ths” etc not been included in the subsequent Constitution we’d have never gotten to the Emancipation Proclamation.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I find it interesting that MEXICO abolished slavery in 1829. Yet almost fifty years later slave raiders were entering the US to capture American Indians to sell in Mexico.

After the Camp Grant massacre(1871) of Apaches, by 150 Mexican Indios and Papago tribesmen (only 6 whites present so no national monument)the children were taken to Mexico and sold as slaves.

[Nateman]

How about a 632 project? That is when the Koran was finished. No less an authority than ALLAH Himself gave two thumbs up for slavery in Mad Moes’ book. Not going to hold my breath for the NYSlimes to get that done.

[MarkL]

There are youngsters in the US government pushed indoctrination system (aka public schools,) that actually believe that slavery didn’t exist until settlers came to North America.

Mark

[Sergio]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_in_the_Ottoman_Empire

Slavery in the Ottoman Empire was a legal and significant part of the Ottoman Empire’s economy and traditional society. The main sources of slaves were wars and politically organized enslavement expeditions in North and East Africa, Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Caucasus. It has been reported that the selling price of slaves decreased after large military operations. In Constantinople (present-day Istanbul), the administrative and political center of the Ottoman Empire, about a fifth of the 16th- and 17th-century population consisted of slaves.[3] Sixteenth- and 17th-century customs statistics suggest that Istanbul’s additional slave imports from the Black Sea may have totaled around 2.5 million from 1453 to 1700.

Even after several measures to ban slavery in the late 19th century, the practice continued largely unabated into the early 20th century. As late as 1908, female slaves were still sold in the Ottoman Empire. Sexual slavery was a central part of the Ottoman slave system throughout the history of the institution.

******************************************

So...slavery of non-blacks in the early 1900’s, yet no outcry...hmmmm...curious.

[rktman]

Yeah I saw some ‘meme’ on Mrs rktmans FB the other day implying the US was built on the backs of slaves. Guess our kin folk just kicked back in a rocking chair and fired up their pipe and didn’t do anything constructive. I see. Divided? Seems like it some folks.

[loveliberty2]

Ohio State Senator and A.M.E. Bishop Benjamin W. Arnett, outstanding scholar, Legislator, and Minister, who lived through the period of the Civil War and delivered a most outstanding Centennial Sermon, at St. Paul Church in Norwalk, Ohio, by invitation, in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, in which he traced the history of nations and that of America, from it's inception and up to the Year of the Centennial of its Declaration.

In that Sermon, Dr. Arnett issued a grave warning of what might happen to America if a group, including academics who then self-described as "Liberals," had its way. Excerpts follow:

"The Danger to our Country.

"Now that our national glory and grandeur is principally derived from the position the fathers took on the great questions of right and wrong, and the career of this nation has been unparalleled in the history of the past, now there are those who are demanding the tearing down the strength of our national fabric. They may not intend to tear it down, but just as sure as they have their way, just that sure will they undermine our superstructure and cause the greatest calamity of the age. What are the demands of this party of men? Just look at it and examine it for yourselves, and see if you are willing that they shall have their way; or will you still assist in keeping the ship of state in the hands of the same crew and run her by the old gospel chart! But ye men who think there is no danger listen to the demands of the Liberals as they choose to call themselves:

"'Organize! Liberals of America! The hour for action has arrived. The cause of freedom calls upon us to combine our strength, our zeal, our efforts. These are The Demands of Liberalism:

"'1. We demand that churches and other ecclesiastical property shall no longer be exempt from just taxation.

"'2. We demand that the employment of chaplains in Congress, in State Legislatures, in the navy and militia, and in prisons, asylums, and all other institutions supported by public money, shall be discontinued.

"'3. We demand that all public appropriations for sectarian educational and charitable institutions shall cease.

"'4. We demand that all religious services now sustained by the government shall be abolished; and especially that the use of the Bible in the public schools, whether ostensibly as a text-book or avowedly as a book of religious worship, shall be prohibited.

"'5. We demand that the appointment, by the President of the United States or by the Governors of the various States, of all religious festivals and fasts shall wholly cease.

"'6. We demand that the judicial oath in the courts and in all other departments of the government shall be abolished, and that simple affirmation under the pains and penalties of perjury shall be established in its stead.

"'7. We demand that all laws directly or indirectly enforcing the observance of Sunday as the Sabbath shall be repealed.

"'8. We demand that all laws looking to the enforcement of “Christian” morality shall be abrogated, and that all laws shall be conformed to the requirements of natural morality, equal rights, and impartial liberty.

"'9. We demand that not only in the Constitution of the United States and of the several States, but also in the practical administration of the same, no privilege or advantage shall be conceded to Christianity or any other special religion; that our entire political system shall be founded and administered on a purely secular basis; and that whatever changes shall prove necessary to this end shall be consistently, unflinchingly, and promptly made.'

"'Let us boldly and with high purpose meet the duty of the hour.'

In another section of the lengthy discourse, Bishop Arnett addressed the topic of "The Greatness of America," as follows:

"Let us see what it is that makes us so great; wherein lies our strength. What has made us one of the greatest powers of the earth, politically and intellectually? Have we come to the conclusion that it is Righteousness that exalteth a nation? We have met to-day at the request of the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, and also the Governor of our beloved State, Rutherford B. Hayes. For what? Why call us from our homes? Why come to the house of God? Why not go to the hall of mirth and to the places of amusement to-day? No that is not what they want us to do. We are commanded to go to our 'several places of worship, and there offer up thanks to Kind Providence which has brought our nation through the scenes of another year, and blessed the land with peace, plenty and prosperity.' Then as Americans we have reason to rejoice and congratulate ourselves on the greatness of our beloved country; at this the close of the first hundred years of experimental government of the people, by the people, and for the people. To be a citizen of this vast country is something, and to share in its privileges and duties is more than something." - Dr. Benjamin W. Arnett, 1876 "Centennial Thanksgiving Sermon" -

CENTENNIAL Thanksgiving Sermon, DELIVERED BY REV. B. W. ARNETT, B. D., AT ST. PAUL A. M. E. CHURCH, URBANA, OHIO 1876 - available in the "Library of Congress - Historical Collections" - "African-American Pamphlets from the Daniel A. P. Murray Collection," 1820-1920; American Memory, Washington, DC.

This historical treasure is one which should be prominent in our national discussions, especially now, when our philosophical foundations are being challenged, and when the views of a learned man like Dr. Arnett might shed light on centuries-old ideas about America's history. His theme: Righteousness Exalteth a Nation, but Sin is a Reproach to any People."

"Withdraw from Christendom the Bible, the Church with its sacraments and ministry, and Christian morality and hopes, and aspirations for time and eternity; repeal all the laws that are founded in the Christian Scriptures; remove the Christian humanities in the form of hospitals and asylums, and reformatories and institutions of mercy utterly unknown to unchristian countries; destroy the literature, the culture, the institutions of learning, the art, the refinement, the place of woman in her home and in society, which owe their origin and power to Christianity; blot out all faith in Divine Providence, love, and righteousness; turn back every believer in Christ to his former state; remove all thought or hope of the forgiveness of sins by a just but gracious God; erase the name of Christ from every register it sanctifies—in a word annihilate all the legitimate and logical effects of Christianity in Christendom—just accomplish in fact what multitudes of gifted and learned minds are wishing and trying to accomplish by their science, philosophy, and criticism, and what multitudes of the common people desire and seek, and not only would all progress toward and unto perfection cease, but not one of the shining lights of infidelity would shine much longer. Yes, the bitterest enemies of this holy and blessed religion, owe their ability to be enemies to its sacred revelations - to the inspiration and sublimity of that faith which reflects its glories on their hostile natures. They live in the strength of that which they would destroy. They are raised to their seats of opportunity and power by the grace of Him they would crucify afresh; and is it to be thought that they are stronger than that which gives them strength? Can it be supposed that a religion which civilizes and subdues, and elevates and blesses will succumb to the enmities it may arouse and quicken in its onward march? Are we to tremble for the ark of God when God is its upholder, and protector, and preserver?” - Dr. Benjaming W. Arnett, St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Urbana, Ohio, Centennial Thanksgiving Sermon, November 1876

Dr. Arnett, an A.M.E. Minister and Ohio State Legislator, was invited to publish this remarkable sermon commemorating the Centennial of the Declaration of Independence by the following method:

To:

Rev. B. W. ARNETT, B. D.

Dear Pastor:

Will you please prepare your “Centennial Thanksgiving Sermon” for publication: together with whatever matter pertaining to the colored people of this city, you deem worth preserving.

We make this request of you, believing that the publication of such matter, will be of benefit to the present and succeeding generations.

Yours Respectfully,

J GAITER
J. DEMPCY
C. L, GANT
Trustees W. A. STILGASS, W. O. BOWLES

Urbana, O.

December 7th, 1876

J GAITER, J. DEMPCY, C. L, GANT

Trustees W. A. STILGASS, W. O. BOWLES

[OIFVeteran]

The founding fathers didn’t create the slavery system in America, they found it here. And to claim that they rebelled to protect slavery is a blatent lie. They rebelled because of the long string of abuses and usurpations on their rights as Englishman.

The founding fathers knew slavery was wrong, but could not devise a way to get rid of it in the entire nation. They did create a constitution that allowed individual states to get rid of it though.

Here are some quotes from our founding fathers that shows their views on slavery.

Every measure of prudence, therefore, ought to be assumed for the eventual total extirpation of slavery from the United States.... I have, throughout my whole life, held the practice of slavery in... abhorrence. John Adams -letter to Evans, June 8, 1819

I wish from my soul that the legislature of this State could see a policy of a gradual Abolition of Slavery. George Washington-letter to Lawrence Lewis, August 4, 1797

It is much to be wished that slavery may be abolished. The honor of the States, as we as justice and humanity, in my opinion loudly call upon them to emancipate these unhappy people. To contend for our own liberty, and to deny that blessing to others, involves an inconsistency not to be excused. John Jay-to R. Lushington - March 15, 1786

ould any one believe that I am master of slaves by my own purchase? I am drawn along by the general inconvenience of living without them. I will not — I cannot justify it, however culpable my conduct. I will so far pay my devoir to Virtue, as to own the excellence and rectitude of her precepts, and to lament my want of conformity to them. I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be afforded to abolish this lamentable evil. Everything we cam do, is to improve it, if It happens in our day; if not, let us transmit to our descendants, together with our slaves, a pity for their unhappy lot, and an abhorrence of Slavery.
Patrick Henry-Letter to John Alsop Jan 13 1773

[Chode]